344 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
them, as there is no doubt that they are all good. As we have the last — 
year learned, the leading carnation growers of the country have organized 
themselves into a society for the protection of this flower’s interest, and 
they will no doubt see to it that no doubtful varieties are disseminated. 
In chrysanthemums the improvement is more marked even than in any 
other class of flowers. Those sent out last year were all very good indeed, 
some of them really wonderful improvements over only a few years ago. 
New varieties are coming in almost too fast for the good of the flower. I 
am afraid it will have a tendency to lessen the interest taken in the 
chrysanthemum the last few years. I will not attempt to name any of 
them, as there are hundreds of varieties, probably one as good as the 
other—it would be a hard matter indeed to pick out afewofthem. It 
may be noted that the mode of treatment has almost entirely changed 
from growing them outdoors during the sum ner; they are now generally 
grown under glass continuously from time of propagating till cutting the 
flowers. 
In begonias we have also seen a great improvement the last few years, 
notably so in tuberous-rooted begonias. This class is improved now so itis 
really a grand class of plants. They are in some sections of the country 
taking the place so long held by geraniums for bedding out in summer, — 
they making even more show than this weli known old favorite. Whether 
they will drive out the geraniums here in this state is as yet doubtful, it 
being open to question wheher they will doas wellin our hot and dry sum- 
mers as they will where it is more moist. They are, nevertheless, well 
worthy of a place in the greenhouse for decoration of rooms, or even as 
cut flowers I believe they may be made to pay. I would advise every 
florist to give them a trial. Of other varieties of begonias, many new 
ones are introduced every year now, and many of them are undoubtedly 
destined to take a prominent place among bedding plants before long. 
In conclusion I wish to say I’ do not believe the last season has been a 
very prosperous one for the florist, whether on account of overproduc- 
tion or other causes I do not know, but certain I am that at the prices 
ruling last spring for bedding plants, the margin of profit was very small, © 
indeed in many instances [I am sure the prices realized represented a loss 
instead of profit on the goods sold. Prices for cut flowers were probably 
up to the average the latter part of the season, but still without re- 
alizing anything for the growers, as the season has been remarkably 
against us; part of the month of August was so cold aS to give many 
plants, notably roses, such a check that in many insta nces they have not 
yet recovered; then September came in altogether too hot to suit the 
greenhouse man, it forced his crop of bloom in a time when there was no 
demand, and weakened his plants so, that when thecloudy and dark days 
came—and we have had an unusual number of them the last month—they 
were not in proper shape or condition to bring forth their blooms. Roses, 
carnations and violets suffered most, the latter in particular has just 
commenced to recuperate from the hot spell of last autumn. Taken all 
in all, I think it has been an unprofitable season for florists in this state, 
even the only chrysanthemum exhibition held in the state of Minnesota 
the last season was a failure financially, although well worthy of a better 
fate. 
